Can Zebras and Societies be housed together?

[willertac]

I had 2 Zebras in an 30x18x18 cage, a male and female pair, but my female just passed, for unknown reasons. The male is now flying back and forth, more than he normally has. I'm pretty sure he's already lonely and it hasn't even been a day. It may seem insensitive that I am so quickly looking for another friend for my boy, but I'm trying to prevent another death due to loneliness.

He picked at the female, but never too aggressively. I bought him a preening toy when I discovered a bald spot on her head and he stopped picking to play with the toy. I'm sure he didn't do it.

Can I possibly buy a Society for my Zebra to be friends with? Or would they fight?

[Sally]

I'll let others answer your questions, but I wanted to welcome you to the forum! There's lots of good reading at www.finchinfo.com, where you will find many good articles on housing, diet, and general finch care. If you put your general location in your profile, it makes it easier to answer locale-specific questions later on.

[lovezebs]

willertac

I have a flight of Zebras and Societies, that have been housed together for ages.

So to answer your question, yes, they can be housed together.

HOWEVER, (in your particular situation ) if you have a male Zebra, who is somewhat pushy, or aggressive, the poor Society will become a victim. No, they will not fight, as Societies are not fighters. The Society however will get beaten up and plucked, and be extremely unhappy and in turn unhealthy.

In this situation, I would get your boy another Zebra girl. If you get a male Zebra, they probably will fight.

Good luck

~Elana~

[lnlovesorange]

willertac It's not insensitive at all!! Finches are very social creatures, they need to be with others of their kind. Zebra's & Societies are very social, and they even perch touching and Socie's sleep all huddled together it's actually really cute... so not insensitive, your boy needs a friend!!! Like Elana said, if your Zeb is already pushy, then the poor little society might get bullied, and that's not good, then you'll end up with 4 birds... (cuz you will have to get a friend for the Society, as he can't be alone, and a friend for the zebra) So..... you might not want to do that!!! Good luck to you!!!

[willertac]

willertac It's not insensitive at all!! Finches are very social creatures, they need to be with others of their kind. Zebra's & Societies are very social, and they even perch touching and Socie's sleep all huddled together it's actually really cute... so not insensitive, your boy needs a friend!!! Like Elana said, if your Zeb is already pushy, then the poor little society might get bullied, and that's not good, then you'll end up with 4 birds... (cuz you will have to get a friend for the Society, as he can't be alone, and a friend for the zebra) So..... you might not want to do that!!! Good luck to you!!!

They only have one zebra and its a male; I don't trust the other pet store's birds, should I get him?

[willertac]

I took a video of Bean and the new bird Cocoa, if you'd care to listen and watch to tell me what gender the white one is, that'd be great.

P.S. Bean is the male from the previous pair, he's the one with the deeper voice and grey body. I thought the white one was a male with his cheek-patches and speckled sides, but it doesn't sing, it makes a sort of cross between a song and a beep. Bean seems to be receiving Cocoa well; it's been half an hour and nothing bad's happened.

http://youtu.be/WKGT4ZNbwQQ

[lovezebs]

willertac

Really hard to tell from the video, because the bars are in the way. I would try for a clear picture between the cage bars, so that we can see both birds.

From my understanding, the Pet Shop had only one Zebra, a male, and the white one in the video is him (?) The dark one being the original male that you had before (?)

As to the two getting along, you might just be lucky, and they will get along. That said, if they are both males, be prepared that at sometime or another the honeymoon will end, and they will challange each other for the top position.

~Elana~

[willertac]

willertac

Really hard to tell from the video, because the bars are in the way. I would try for a clear picture between the cage bars, so that we can see both birds.

From my understanding, the Pet Shop had only one Zebra, a male, and the white one in the video is him (?) The dark one being the original male that you had before (?)

As to the two getting along, you might just be lucky, and they will get along. That said, if they are both males, be prepared that at sometime or another the honeymoon will end, and they will challange each other for the top position.

~Elana~

The white one is the new one, and I'm almost absolutely certain a male, even though he hasn't sung yet and barely makes any sounds.

Would you suggest getting a larger flight cage and getting 2 females or so to put these males with? Would that settle some possible aggression? I have about a week to return Cocoa if I really really need to, they have a 14 day guarantee at that store.